FLASH::: I have been smoke-free since April 30th!

FYI: If you're wondering where the long-winded life story went, I've decided to eliminate it from my OKCupid profile. If you're REALLY interested, you can find it here.

I'm a wannabe food snob and a gotta-be entertainer. I love exotic things, and I devour books and music of all genres. People tell me I'm hilarious and sweet, but I worry that they're just flattering me for the sake of my formerly-bruised ego. I can deal. I no longer drink Rolling Rock, because it's no longer made in the glass-lined tanks of old Latrobe. I still drink RC Cola, but not as much as I used to. I used to smoke menthol cigarettes, and I hate that I waited so long to quit.

Life has sucked in the past, sometimes for long periods of time, but the suckiness is decreasing from day to day. I want understanding and commonality, not pity.

I'm intelligent, but I try hard to appear average. I'm a recovering fat guy, with a new-found interest in fitness. I'm very giving, and I enjoy intimacy in its dictionary sense. I like anime, although I seldom get to watch it. I steal quiet moments in the great outdoors. I'm trying to make up for time I lost in my 20's. I don't pretend that I have no regrets, but I refuse to dwell on my mistakes.

I write; I sing; I smile.

I've got more irons in the fire right now than I've got irons. I'm a paramedic, which means I've finally finished with the hundreds of hours of clinicals and ride-alongs that go along with the training. I'm at a new job in the field, and volunteering with my local department in between times. I love what I do.

I try to have my guitar in hand as much as possible, but it's not as easy to find the time just now. It's funny, but I wrote a lot of songs before I got married, and then once I was married, I just didn't have the inspiration anymore. Now, I'm writing again... The thing is, even though I had barely picked up a guitar in eight years, I can hear the difference in my songs. I can hear eight years of life and experience when I compare my "old" stuff with the new. I'm better now than I've ever been, and I'm exploring new areas; musical places I've never been.

Handling the difficulties. Singing, playing the guitar, various outdoor activities, cooking. PS/Gimp (well, maybe not REALLY good. I get votes on fark.) Listening.

My sense of humor, my eyes, my gleaming shaven head... =)

...or it may be the fact that I'm laughing.

(A)History/Historical Fiction, SciFi/Fantasy, Historically-based Westerns. Reading right now: The West Virginia State EMS protocols. (B)Just about anything from before the world was in color. My favorite actors/actresses include Humphrey Bogart, Audrey Hepburn, Gregory Peck, Robert Mitchum, James Stewart, Peter Lorre... (C)I'll listen to anything. Not really a rap fan, though. My secret shame? Fatboy Slim. (D)Anything that doesn't try too hard to consume me first. Exotic, spicy, etc.

I like to read justlookup's journal, too.

My daughter, my guitar, a nearby body of water, hot sauce, a good book, my glasses. Number seven right now is the Brady "Drug guide for Paramedics"

Why things are the way they are, and what, if anything, I can do to change them. Ways to improve myself. Pharmacology. The fact that it IS possible to be a republican, but not support the current administration.

At home, helping a eight year-old wash her hair, like every other night. Studying.

I miss smoking, but I don't miss "being a smoker".

(A)You're smarter than a Cool Ranch Dorito. (B)You can hold up your end of a conversation on potentially any topic. (C)You know what "débrouillard" is. (D)You're interested in a stimulating conversation. (E)You've read the page I referred to at the beginning of this profile, and you're not bored.

(OPTIONAL) If you can explain why so many people call 911 when they're not sick or hurt.